Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Lake Windermere: Pollution

Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the conduct of the Environment Agency in relation to their investigation of recent pollution events in the Windermere area; and whether they have plans to revise guidance around the carrying out of such investigations.

Lord Douglas-Miller: We are working with the regulators to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to hold water companies to account. We have provided an extra £2.2 million per year to the EA specifically for water company enforcement activity. We have legislated to introduce unlimited penalties on water companies who breach their environmental permits and expand the range of offences to which penalties can be applied, giving the Environment Agency the tools they need to hold water companies to account. In June 2023, the Environment Agency (EA) outlined that it would be transforming the way it regulates the sector, embedding a new approach that targets resource and interventions to uncover non-compliance and drive better performance from the water industry. Due to the seriousness of the incident at Cunsey Beck, Windermere and the fact that a definitive source had not been identified, the EA asked the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to review their response to the incident. The EA recognise things should have been done better, that is why improvements have been made to water quality monitoring in the area, including installing sensors that monitor river quality in real time. Learning has been shared within the EA to inform future responses. Actions that the EA are taking as the water industry regulator are set out in the annual water company performance report, published 12 July 2023.Annual water company performance report (pdf, 305.7KB)

Water: Pollution

Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in the light of media reports regarding United Utilities and its interactions with the Environment Agency, they have confidence in the integrity of the current process for registering water pollution events.

Lord Douglas-Miller: The Government is clear that the volume of sewage being discharged into our waters in unacceptable. That is why our Plan for Water sets out more investment, stronger regulation, and tougher enforcement to tackle pollution and clean up our water. Alongside this, our Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan (copy attached) sets clear and specific targets for water companies, regulators and the Government, to work towards the long-term ambition of eliminating ecological harm from storm overflows. We have increased the number of storm overflows monitored across the network: in 2010 only 7% were monitored, and now 100% are being monitored. Additionally, we have legislated to introduce unlimited penalties on water companies who breach their environmental permits and expand the range of offences to which penalties can be applied, giving the Environment Agency the tools, they need to hold water companies to account. Since autumn 2017, the Environment Agency has concluded two successful criminal prosecutions of United Utilities and accepted 10 Enforcement Undertakings, requiring the company to pay over £2 million to environmental charities.Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan (pdf, 545.5KB)

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Myanmar: Rohingya

Baroness Goudie: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 11 December, whether they plan to call a meeting at the UN Security Council to discuss Myanmar’s non-implementation of the provisional measures set out by the International Court of Justice to protect the Rohingya in The Gambia v Myanmar.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of concerns that Myanmar is not meeting its obligations, under a Provisional Measures Order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to protect the Rohingya. We are clear that Myanmar must comply with the Order. In November, we jointly filed a declaration of intervention at the ICJ in The Gambia's case alleging Myanmar has perpetrated genocide against the Rohingya, in order to set out our interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Genocide Convention before the Court. We will continue to use our UN Security Council leadership role to maintain a spotlight on Myanmar, including the Rohingya.

Jimmy Lai

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government whether, following the meeting between the Foreign Secretary and Sebastien Lai, they intend to call for the unconditional and immediate release of Mr Jimmy Lai from prison in Hong Kong.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: On 17 December, the Foreign Secretary called on the Hong Kong authorities to end their prosecution of Jimmy Lai and release him. He additionally urged the Chinese authorities to repeal the National Security Law and end the prosecution of all individuals charged under it. The Foreign Secretary welcomed the opportunity to meet Mr Lai's son, Sebastien on 12 December to listen to his concerns for his father as the trial approached.

Red Sea: Shipping

Lord Shinkwin: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The United Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi militants. These actions gravely threaten the safety and welfare of seafarers, and the security of international trade and freedom of navigation. The UK has joined with key international allies in Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN. HMS DIAMOND has deployed to the area and has already shot down a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as part of this endeavour.

Department for Education

Universities: Antisemitism

Baroness Deech: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of the responses by the University and College Union and relevant university authorities to complaints by students of anti-Semitism and violence perpetrated by fellow students and staff.

Baroness Barran: The department is deeply concerned about the growth in antisemitic incidents on campus since the 7 October terrorist attacks against Israel and this government takes antisemitism extremely seriously. Departmental officials have assessed evidence of antisemitism and racial hatred linked to incidents at English universities. There is an online "Reporting Extremism" page from where members of the public can raise concerns to the department directly. Where concerns have arisen, officials have reached out to relevant universities to understand what actions they have taken, including reporting issues to the police where appropriate. The department is also concerned to see antisemitic motions being passed at some universities. The department urges universities to crack down on inflammatory, politically motivated displays of support for a proscribed terrorist organisation, and on demonstrations which make Jewish staff and students feel unsafe. My right hon. Friend, The Secretary of State for Education and my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education (HE), wrote to all schools, colleges and universities on 11 October, urging them to respond swiftly to hate-related incidents and actively reassure Jewish students that they can study without fear of harassment or intimidation. Minister Halfon wrote again to Vice Chancellors on 16 November, further emphasising the use of disciplinary measures and the importance of police engagement, as well as the suspension of student visas where the student is a foreign national and requested that the universities review its policies and procedures to ensure that they remain fit for purpose at this challenging time. This was one of the key actions set out in the five-point plan for tackling antisemitism in HE, which was published on 5 November. A link to more information can be found here: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/11/05/how-were-protecting-jewish-students-on-university-campuses/.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Electricity and Natural Gas: Regulation

Lord Empey: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of regulatory frameworks for electricity and gas throughout the UK.

Lord Callanan: The Government’s Smarter Regulation programme aims to reform existing regulations to minimise regulatory burden, ensure regulations are contemporary and forward looking, and make use of alternatives to regulation wherever beneficial, whilst ensuring a well-functioning regulatory landscape. Alongside this, the Government’s retail energy reform programme aims to ensure consumers receive good service, fair prices, that energy companies invest in innovative products and services, and consumer choice contributes towards a lowest-cost flexible energy system. In addition, the ongoing Review of Electricity Market Arrangements is conducting a widescale assessment of the current regulatory arrangements for the wholesale electricity market.

Energy: Prices

Lord Empey: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the electricity and gas tariffs for both residential and business customers throughout the UK; and whether these respective tariffs are contributing to a lack of competitiveness of the UKagainst its major international competitors.

Lord Callanan: Gas prices for UK industrial users are among the cheapest in Europe. However, the UK’s industrial electricity prices are higher than those of comparable countries because the UK has spread electricity infrastructure costs more evenly between industry and households compared to other European countries. Some energy and trade intensive industries that are particularly exposed receive energy price support. For household customers, the price cap ensures that default tariffs in GB reflect the reasonable costs of supply. Government also provided unprecedented levels of support to households and businesses across the UK last winter in response to global energy price spikes.

Nuclear Power Stations: Construction

Lord Marlesford: To ask His Majesty's Government what public funds they have committed for the construction by EDF of nuclear power stations at Hinkley Point and Sizewell, respectively; and from what other sources, including a levy on consumers for sales of electricity, funding has been offered for each.

Lord Marlesford: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the projected cost of £20 billion for the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power station; and what is the likelihood of that figure being exceeded.

Lord Callanan: In 2016, the Government negotiated the Contract for Difference for Hinkley Point C which fixes the cost of electricity provided by Hinkley Point C. There is no cost to the consumer until Hinkley Point C starts to produce electricity. The strike price is £92.50 per Megawatt-hour. The household bill impact depends on a variety of factors such as the future electricity generation mix, wholesale gas price, wholesale electricity price and decarbonisation pathway. The Government is a co-shareholder in the Sizewell C project company with EDF. The Government has committed to invest c.£1.2bn in Sizewell C’s development. The project has been designated to benefit from the new Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model for nuclear, which will entail a levy on all licensed electricity suppliers in Great Britain; suppliers may choose to pass those costs to their consumers. The RAB model will include incentives on cost and schedule control, with the exact details finalised at the project’s Final Investment Decision. The capital costs for Sizewell C are commercially sensitive, and subject to ongoing development and a live equity raise. We are therefore unable to discuss this further at this time.

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Software

Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk of being pressured into showing confidential medical records on the NHS App to third parties faced by (1) patients requesting covert contraception forbidden in their home or relationship, (2) patients who are suffering domestic abuse, and (3) other vulnerable groups including the elderly.

Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government what advice is being provided todomestic abuse survivors and other at-risk groups about medical apps they have downloaded on their devices.

Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government whether anyconcerns about risk to personal safety and security have been identified by the expert safeguarding group reviewing the implementation of NHS App.

Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government whatconsideration has been given to making it simpler to switch off access to patient health records through the NHS app, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Lord Markham: The Government wants people to be able to have access to their own records if they choose to do so. There is widespread international consensus about the benefits to patients and the effectiveness of the health system in providing digital on-demand access to personal health information. For most, online record access is beneficial, but for a minority, having access could cause harm or distress. NHS England is taking an active approach to ensuring safe and secure patient record access, seeking to identify and provide additional protections to vulnerable people if they request access to their medical records online. NHS England has engaged extensively with at-risk groups, professional bodies, patient groups, charities and safeguarding leads to support general practice and patients in preparing for this change safely and effectively. Communication packs have been provided to over 50 charities that support at-risk individuals. NHS Digital has published guidance in an online-only format for organisations, Supporting victims and survivors of domestic or sexual abuse, to support people when accessing their personal health information online. Before viewing their record in the NHS App, users are advised what to do if they are being pressured to share their information. Patients can prevent access by disabling their National Health Service login with a simple online process or can ask their general practitioner (GP) for the details of specific consultations or treatment decisions to be redacted. When an individual first requests access, they cannot see information already recorded; they will only be able to access information recorded from that point onwards. The expert safeguarding group has identified theoretical risks, which have fed into NHS England’s patient and GP communications packs and advice, messaging on the NHS App and NHS.uk and improvements made by GP IT system suppliers. More than 23 million patients have viewed their records over nine million times, with no significant incidents relating to personal safety or security reported. Lower-level incidents, such as people finding out their diagnosis before being told by a clinician, have been reported, and some issues have been investigated and classed as low-risk and/or resolved. NHS England continues to monitor this and would take action if an issue was identified or raised.

Wheelchairs

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to encourageNHS bodies and local authorities in each integrated care board area to pool budgets and integrate wheelchair services.

Lord Markham: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision and commissioning of local wheelchairs services and the development of their local wheelchair service eligibility criteria based on the needs of their local population. ICBs may decide, based on local circumstances, to use a Section 75 agreement to pool wheelchair budgets with local authorities.The Department is currently reviewing section 75 of the NHS Act 2006, which includes pooling of budgets and resources between National Health Service bodies and local authorities. Following the conclusion of the review, we will consider publishing guidance on pooled and aligned budgets in line with our commitments in the Integration White Paper in due course.NHS England is taking steps to reduce regional variation in the quality and provision of NHS wheelchairs and to support ICBs to reduce delays in people receiving timely intervention and wheelchair equipment. For example, data for a national wheelchair dataset has been collected quarterly from clinical commissioning groups, now ICBs, since July 2015 and supports the drive for improvements in wheelchair services. This data looks at waiting times at the various stages across the pathway to enable targeted action if improvement is required.NHS England is also developing wheelchair currencies; the currency model offers a structured way for providers, commissioners, and systems to understand the complexity of a patient population and support commissioning conversations using the currencies as an evidence base. The model also supports benchmarking across localities and on a national basis.NHS England is also publishing a model wheelchair service specification; the specification sets out NHS England’s ambition for excellent wheelchair services and is a tool to enable ICBs to review and improve their wheelchair services. Lastly, NHS England is introducing personal wheelchair budgets and legal rights for people; this offers a clear framework to commission personalised wheelchair services which are outcomes focused and integrated.

GP Surgeries

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government how many GP surgery buildings were operating (1) in England, and (2) in each primary care organisation (primary care trust, clinical commissioning group, or integrated care board), in (a) November 2010, (b) November 2015, (c) November 2020, and (d) November 2023.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government how many new GP surgery buildings were opened in England in each calendar year since 2008.

Lord Markham: NHS England has recently undertaken a primary care data gathering programme, which has established a consistent baseline of data for every National Health Service-reimbursed general practice (GP) across England, with outputs visually displayed and accessible to sustainability and transformation partnerships, integrated care systems, clinical commissioning groups and primary care networks via the Strategic Health Asset Planning and Evaluation Place Atlas, which is available in an online-only format. As of December 2023, this reported a total of 8,522 GP premises.The requested data however was not collected as part of this data gathering programme and is not held by NHS England.

Tobacco: Sales

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to enforcethe generational ban on tobacco products.

Lord Markham: Smoking is responsible for around 80,000 deaths a year in the United Kingdom and causes around one in four cancer deaths in the UK. It also costs our country £17 billion a year and puts a huge burden on the National Health Service.This is why the Government is planning to create a smokefree generation by bringing forward legislation so that children turning 14 years old or younger this year will never be legally sold tobacco products.The Government will provide £30 million additional funding per year to support enforcement agencies such as trading standards, Border Force and HM Revenue and Customs to implement and enforce the law, including enforcement of underage sales, and tackle illicit trade. The additional funding will help boost enforcement capacity across the country.We are also providing £5 million this year and £15 million thereafter to support new national marketing campaigns. These campaigns will help to explain the legal changes of the smokefree generation, and prepare the public, retailers, and other relevant stakeholders for the future changes.

Fluoride: Drinking Water

Lord Robathan: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk to the neurodevelopment of children from fluoride, particularly if administered through its addition to water supplies.

Lord Markham: The Water Fluoridation: Health Monitoring Report for England 2022 considered the overall weight of evidence and authoritative reviews of relevant and suitable studies. These indicate that there is no convincing evidence that fluoride at the levels permitted in fluoridated drinking water present a risk of adverse neurodevelopmental effects in children.A copy of the report is attached.water fluoridation health monitoring report 2022 (pdf, 860.8KB)

Fluoride: Drinking Water

Lord Robathan: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessmentthey have made of studies in the United States, Canada and China which have concluded that high levels of fluoride permanently reduce the IQ of children.

Lord Markham: Some studies from these countries have reported a reduction in IQ in children associated with exposure to relatively high levels of fluoride. However, the overall weight of evidence and authoritative reviews of relevant and suitable studies indicate that there is no convincing evidence that fluoride at the levels permitted in fluoridated drinking water present a risk of adverse neurodevelopmental effects in children.The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Victoria Atkins MP) continues to have a duty to monitor the effects of water fluoridation schemes on health and to produce reports at no greater than four-yearly intervals. The last monitoring report for England was published in 2022. This supported the findings of earlier monitoring reports and the wider evidence that water fluoridation, at levels recommended in the United Kingdom, is a safe and effective public health measure to reduce dental caries and inequalities in dental health.

Obesity

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government whatestimate they have made of the economic costs of obesity in the UK, following the report Unhealthy Numbers: The Rising Cost of Obesity in the UK by Frontier Economics published on 21 November.

Lord Markham: In 2021, the annual economic cost of obesity in the United Kingdom was estimated to be £58 billion; this includes costs to the National Health Service, losses to the economy and reductions in the quality of life of people. The Department has not made a specific estimate following the report. This report’s estimate includes the cost of overweight as well as obesity.